By Greg Ellison

(July 9, 2020) Along with reviewing amenity openings as covid-19 safety restrictions are lifted, OPA General Manager John Viola updated the association’s board of directors last Wednesday on the offseason maintenance tasks completed by the Public Works department.

Viola said as recreation activities gradually resume in Ocean Pines, the initial reports have been positive.

“The golf course has already been opened and racquet sports,” he said. “All parks and playgrounds are open except for the White Horse Park basketball courts.”

Viola said Director of Recreation and Parks Debbie Donahue and staff are proceeding to launch sports and summer camps during July, with an eye on health safety mandates.

“The camps in general have started [and] they’re doing well,” he said.

Viola said camp staff is following all CDC and Maryland Heath Department guidelines, with association attorney Jeremy Tucker reviewing plans prior to reopening amenities or facilities.

“All actions are run by legal [and] that’s on me,” he said.

Viola said, in much the same light, Ocean Pines aquatics facilities are now open at limited capacity.

“There was limited occupancy [because] obviously rules from Gov. [Larry Hogan] and limited hours due to lower staffing,” he said.

Viola noted aquatics exercise classes are resuming with reduced sizes staring July 6.

Floating over to marinas, Viola said water-based operations have been sailing along since the resumption of recreational boating in Maryland.

“I’m getting good numbers from the marina,” he said. “That is doing well, all things considered.”

While still under last year totals by about $32,000, marina fuel sales in May topped $51,000, Viola said.

Looking at golf operations, Viola said covid-19 restrictions have affected cart usage more than anything else, with players having been turned away at times.

Viola said while revenue from golf memberships dropped more than $15,000 in May from last year, the yet-to-be completed numbers from this June should make up for that.

“The good thing is when you look at June, which … we’ve already done, it’s favorable to last year,” he said.

Viola said a similar rebound is not inconceivable for pool facilities and Beach Club parking, which finished May roughly $99,000 and $146,000 under budget projections respectively.

“I’m hoping that would happen in aquatics too,” he said. “When I give you the June numbers you will see some of that is coming back.”

Director Tom Janasek, while noting the board packet included mention of work items recently completed by Public Works, inquired about establishing a checklist for facilities.

“When I ran [for the board] last year, we spoke about a preventive maintenance list,” he said. “Just to keep ahead rather than having it flood in all at one time.”

Viola said Public Works and CPI Director Eddie Wells is working with Amenities and Operational Logistics Colby Phillips to develop just such a checklist.

“You’re right and we do have it,” he said. “They actually do have a report we can provide.”

The list of offseason repairs at the Beach Club included replacing kitchen exhaust fans and sinks, water repairs, servicing equipment and removing an old palm tree.

Other improvements were completed at the Racquet Sports Center on Manklin Creek Road, which included installing new toilets and repairing a significant water leak.

“There has been a situation down there where there needed to be repairs to the chain-link fences,” he said.

Viola said concrete work at the Racquet Sports Center is on track for completion within two weeks.

Public Works also recently wrapped up servicing equipment and repairing AC units at the Yacht Club.

“There was a situation that the team fixed … with the HVAC system,” he said.

Viola also expressed thanks to OPA members for exhibiting continued patience and understanding as reopening of amenities and facilities inches forward.

“Overall … all the updates I’ve received … have been positive,” he said. “Thank you to all the members of Ocean Pines who worked to make it a success.”